4 ms·

The real reason is mentioned I the article: it’s absurdly easy to sell bulk stolen goods online. As long as that’s possible, there will always be someone steali

by nkrisc 4y ago

The real reason is mentioned I the article: it’s absurdly easy to sell bulk stolen goods online. As long as that’s possible, there will always be someone stealing it, no matter how many people you lock up.

joenot443 4y ago
Why is it specifically a problem here in New York then, but wherever else I go in the country I don't see things nearly as locked up? Geography presumably shouldn't be a factor if shoplifters are only selling their loot online.
- klooney 4y ago
  It's like that in San Francisco and Oakland too, although the suburbs in the bay are mostly much more chill.
- zuminator 4y ago
  Population density makes it easier to hide in a crowd and also easier to recruit teams of shoplifters. The estensive subway system in Manhattan makes it easy to escape underground. Due to traffic, police response times may be longer. Manhattan has dozens of pharmacies in the business areas, which makes it easier to hit several stores in succession and get a substantial haul.
mancerayder 4y ago
That sounds like we're pointing to an external force (the ease of selling stolen goods online), as if it were some sort of magnetic draw, an irresistible temptation. What's tempting is that there's a lack of punishment. Do you propose we lecture to thieves to dissuade them? It's like arguing people run red lights because they get distracted due to phone notifications and so maybe we shouldn't punish them with points that could lead to a license suspension.
- evancox100 4y ago
  > It's like arguing people run red lights because they get distracted due to phone notifications and so maybe we shouldn't punish them with points that could lead to a license suspension. Don’t give them any ideas!
- nkrisc 4y ago
  > Do you propose we lecture to thieves to dissuade them? No. > as if it were some sort of magnetic draw, an irresistible temptation. The shoplifting itself is committed by individuals and individual cases of shoplifting should be a reasonably light punishment. It’s not murder. But a single person is not shoplifting $300,000 worth of merchandise. There’s two culprits: the ease of selling vast quantities of stolen items and from which follows the organized crime rings that facilitate it. If you want to stop it, you need to crack down on both the fences (eBay, Amazon, etc.) and the organizers of these shoplifting sprees. Sure, punish the shoplifters too, but going after them won’t end it - there will always be someone in need of easy cash who can be recruited in their place.

by nkrisc 4y ago

joenot443 4y ago

Why is it specifically a problem here in New York then, but wherever else I go in the country I don't see things nearly as locked up? Geography presumably shouldn't be a factor if shoplifters are only selling their loot online.

klooney 4y ago
It's like that in San Francisco and Oakland too, although the suburbs in the bay are mostly much more chill.
zuminator 4y ago
Population density makes it easier to hide in a crowd and also easier to recruit teams of shoplifters. The estensive subway system in Manhattan makes it easy to escape underground. Due to traffic, police response times may be longer. Manhattan has dozens of pharmacies in the business areas, which makes it easier to hit several stores in succession and get a substantial haul.

mancerayder 4y ago

That sounds like we're pointing to an external force (the ease of selling stolen goods online), as if it were some sort of magnetic draw, an irresistible temptation. What's tempting is that there's a lack of punishment. Do you propose we lecture to thieves to dissuade them? It's like arguing people run red lights because they get distracted due to phone notifications and so maybe we shouldn't punish them with points that could lead to a license suspension.

evancox100 4y ago
> It's like arguing people run red lights because they get distracted due to phone notifications and so maybe we shouldn't punish them with points that could lead to a license suspension. Don’t give them any ideas!
nkrisc 4y ago
> Do you propose we lecture to thieves to dissuade them? No. > as if it were some sort of magnetic draw, an irresistible temptation. The shoplifting itself is committed by individuals and individual cases of shoplifting should be a reasonably light punishment. It’s not murder. But a single person is not shoplifting $300,000 worth of merchandise. There’s two culprits: the ease of selling vast quantities of stolen items and from which follows the organized crime rings that facilitate it. If you want to stop it, you need to crack down on both the fences (eBay, Amazon, etc.) and the organizers of these shoplifting sprees. Sure, punish the shoplifters too, but going after them won’t end it - there will always be someone in need of easy cash who can be recruited in their place.